Fenbendazole (FBZ) is an oral veterinary medication given daily for 3 consecutive days to treat oxyurid
(Syphacia, pinworm) infections (oxyuriasis) and other parasites. A species-dependent oral dose of 5-20 mg/kg/day completely
eliminates the parasite. FBZ is usually administered in food rations, but costs associated with FBZ-treated food are
high. The low water solubility of FBZ (<0.1 g/L) mitigates against its delivery via drinking water. This manuscript describes
the formulation of FBZ as a hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCyD) inclusion complex (FBZ-HPCyD). A method
to control the bulk density of the fluffy inclusion complex powder for tableting, and a method to color-code the product
when added to drinking water using a US FDA acceptable food dye are reported. FBZ-HPCyD was formulated by sequentially
dissolving HPCyD in distilled water, adding FBZ and then sonicating and stirring this mixture for 5 days at room
temperature. The solution was filtered (0.45 μm filter) to remove undissolved FBZ and then subjected to multistep freezedrying.
The resulting dried powder was mechanically pulverized to achieve the desired particle size. The formulated powder
FBZ-HPCyD was assayed for FBZ. FBZ-HPCyD and FDC red #40 color were mixed, dry granulated and directly
compressed using a single-punch press. The 450 mg color-coded tablets, administered to Syphacia obvelata infected rats
via their drinking water supply, effectively eradicated infections over a four day period when six tablets were used per 500
mL water bottle.